Illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly

ABSTRACT

An illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly is disclosed which comprises a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel, a first illumination device positioned within the first channel, a second illumination device positioned within the second channel, a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices, and a rim attached to the back member.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a basketball backboard and rim and more particularly to an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that may be used in low or no light conditions. This disclosure further relates to an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that has an image capturing device for recording a basketball player shooting a basketball at the assembly for reviewing the shooting technique of the player.

Basketball backboards and rims are available in numerous designs, constructions, shapes, and materials. Typically, a pair of basketball backboards and rims are positioned at opposite ends of a basketball court. Each of the backboards and rims are connected to a pole or other height adjustable device to position the backboards and rims above the ground. In an outdoor basketball court, lights are required if a practice or a game of basketball is to be played at night or during low light conditions. Even if lights are available, sometimes the lights are not bright enough, positioned correctly, or operating correctly. It is also known that some outdoor lights are operated by a timer device. As can be appreciated, playing a game of basketball when the lights time out may be annoying and dangerous. There are various basketball backboards and rims that have been proposed and developed that are illuminated. However, such basketball backboards and rims are not durable enough and suffer from use and abuse. Further, the known illuminated basketball backboards and rims do not provide enough light so that the backboard and rim are sufficiently illuminated to practice or play basketball. In particular, only a portion of the surface area of a backboard is illuminated. For example, only the area near the hoop or rim is illuminated. If the backboard is consistently used at night or in low light conditions, a player may develop improper shooting habits or techniques due to only a portion of the backboard being illuminated.

Therefore, there is a need for an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that is durable and provides a sufficient level of illumination so that the basketball backboard and rim may be used during low or no light conditions. It would be advantageous to have an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that overcomes the shortcomings and disadvantages of known illuminated backboards and rims. It would also be advantageous to have an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that can record a player shooting a basketball at the illuminated basketball backboard and rim for training purposes.

SUMMARY

In one form of the present disclosure, an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly is disclosed which comprises a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel, a first illumination device positioned within the first channel, a second illumination device positioned within the second channel, a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices, and a rim attached to the back member.

In another form of the present disclosure, an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly comprises a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel, a first illumination device positioned within the first channel, a second illumination device positioned within the second channel, a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices, and a rim attached to the back member with the rim having a hollow interior, a first cutout portion formed in the rim, a third illumination device inserted into the hollow interior with a portion of the third illumination device being visible through the cutout portion.

In yet another form of the present disclosure, an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly is disclosed which comprises a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel, a first illumination device positioned within the first channel, a second illumination device positioned within the second channel, a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices, a rim attached to the back member with the rim having a hollow interior, a first cutout portion formed in the rim, a third illumination device inserted into the hollow interior with a portion of the third illumination device being visible through the cutout portion, and an image capturing device positioned on the back member for capturing an image of an individual shooting a basketball at the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly.

In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that the present disclosure provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that may be used to practice or play basketball in areas of low light or no light.

The present disclosure provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that may be used with existing basketball courts and poles.

The present disclosure provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly which is portable and may be moved from one basketball court to another basketball court.

The present disclosure provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that is capable of recording a player shooting at the assembly for reviewing the recording for training purposes.

The present disclosure provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that does not require a basketball court to be retrofitted for installation of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly.

The present disclosure further provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that is regulation size and can be used during a basketball game.

The present disclosure is directed to an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that is easy to operate and can be employed with highly desirable results.

The present disclosure further provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly having an image capturing device for recording and storing images or video of a basketball player shooting at the assembly for reviewing the recording and storing the recording for use in the future to document advancement of the player.

The present disclosure is also directed to an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that provides a large illuminated surface area of the backboard for a player to view when shooting a basketball at the assembly.

The present disclosure also provides an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly that may be constructed with known components such as LEDs (light emitting diodes), batteries, molded components, control circuitry, and an image capturing device.

These and other advantages of the present illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly shown in FIG. 1 constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly taken along the plane of line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view the rim of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly constructed according to the present disclosure with the rim removed from the backboard;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rim taken along the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly constructed according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to FIG. 1, the assembly 10 is shown to comprise a back member 12 having a first channel 14 formed therein and a second channel 16 formed therein with the second channel 16 being within or surrounded by the first channel 14. A first illumination device 18 is positioned within the first channel 14 and a second illumination device 20 is positioned within the second channel 16. An example of each of the illumination devices 18 and 20 is a string or rope of LEDs. Other illumination devices are possible and contemplated such as a fiber optic cable, a single LED, a single light bulb, or a fluorescent tube. With the second channel 16 being within the first channel 14 more of the back member 12 is illuminated by the illumination devices 18 and 20. A front member 22 is positioned over the back member 12 for covering the back member 12, the channels 14 and 16, and the illumination devices 18 and 20. The front member 22 also serves as a rebounding surface against which a basketball (not shown) is shot. A rim 24 having a plurality of cutouts or openings 26 positioned around the rim 24 is attached to the back member 12 and the front member 22. The rim 24 is hollow and also has an illumination device 28 inserted therein for the rim 24 to be illuminated. As can be appreciated, light provided by the illumination device 28 will be visible through the cutouts 26. A net 30 may be attached to the rim 24. The net 30 may include a plurality of beads 32 that are capable of glowing when light is provided from the illumination devices 18, 20, and 28.

The back member 12 has a front surface 34 upon which a fluorescent paint 36 may be applied. The paint 36 provides a glowing effect for the front surface 34 and provides more illumination of the back member 12. The paint 36 may be applied to the entire surface of the front surface 34 or to portions thereof. The back member 12 may be constructed of any suitable material such as wood, glass, fiberglass, metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. It is also possible that the back member 12 may be a blow molded frame made from polyethylene, polycarbonate, or any other suitable plastic material. The front member 22 may be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic, acrylic, polycarbonate, glass, or a combination of plastic and wood and/or metal or glass and wood and/or metal. Further, the front member 22 may be transparent to allow the illumination devices 18 and 20 to illuminate the front surface 34 of the back member 12 and the front member 22. The front member 22 may be attached to the back member 12 by an suitable attachment methods or means such as screws, bolts, clips, or adhesive. It is also contemplated that the front surface 34 may have matter printed or painted thereon, such as a logo, a trademark, symbols, sayings, or a combination thereof. The matter may also be of the same or a different color paint so that the matter stands out when illuminated.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a rear view of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly 10 is shown. The back member 12 has a back surface 38 having a compartment 40 positioned thereon and a solar cell assembly 42 also positioned thereon.

The compartment 40 may contain a power supply and other circuitry, all of which are not shown in this particular view, to control operation of the illumination devices 18, 20, and 28. The solar cell assembly 42 is used to charge batteries associated with the power supply during the day for use of the assembly 10 at night. Although not shown in detail, the solar cell assembly 42 is connected to the circuitry within the compartment 40. Further, although the solar cell assembly 42 is shown, it is also possible that the assembly 10 may be connected to a dedicated power supply, such as power provided from a utility. Although not shown, it is possible that the control circuitry within the compartment 40 may include provisions for the assembly 10 to be operated from a remote control device. In particular, a remote control device can be used to turn on the assembly 10 when a basketball game or practice is to take place and the remote control device may be used to turn off the assembly 10 at the conclusion of the game or practice.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly 10. The assembly 10 is shown to comprise the back member 12 having the front surface 34 and the back surface 38 and the front member 22 placed over the back member 12 and connected to the back member 12. The first channel 14 is formed in the back member 12 and the second channel 16 is also formed in the back member 12. The first channel 14 has an upper edge 50, a back edge 52, a lower edge 54, and an opening 56. The first illumination device 18 is positioned or placed within the first channel 14. The second channel 16 has an upper edge 58, a back edge 60, a lower edge 62, and an opening 64. The second illumination device 20 is positioned or placed within the second channel 16. The first channel 14 encompasses the second channel 16. By encompassing the second channel 16 within the first channel 14, the entire front surface 34 is able to be illuminated by use of the illumination devices 18 and 20. Although not shown, the back surface 38 will have openings or holes through which conduit, such as a conduit 66, will extend out of for connection to a power supply or control circuitry. When assembling the assembly 10, the illumination devices 18 and 20 will be placed in or threaded through their respective channels 14 and 16 and the front member 22 will be placed over the back member 12 to enclosed the illumination devices 18 and 20 therein. Although the back edges 52 and 60 are shown as have a squared off shape, it is also possible that the back edges 52 and 60 may be rounded, oval, or semi-circular or take on any shape of the profile of the illumination devices 18 and 20. The channels 14 and 16 may also be sized and shaped to capture or engage by friction the devices 18 and 20. As previously indicated, the back surface 38 provides a surface in which or upon which the compartment 40 and the solar cell assembly 42 may be positioned. The front member 22 provides a rebounding surface for a basketball to impact and also provides protection for the illumination devices 18 and 20.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a side view of the rim 24 is shown being removed from the front member 22 and the back member 12 and having the net 30 removed. The rim 24 is shown to have the cutouts 26 formed therein at various positions along the rim 24. The illumination device 28 is within the rim 24 and able to provide light through the cutouts 26. The rim 24 also has a rim support member 70 and a rim flange member 72. The rim 24 also has an opening 74 formed in a back portion 76 for a conduit 78 to be placed. The conduit 78 is connected to a power supply or control circuitry for providing power to the illumination device 28. In this manner, the illumination device may be operated to illuminate the rim 24 through the cutouts 26. It is also possible that the cutouts 26 may include lenses or coverings to protect the interior of the rim 24 and the illumination device 28. The rim 24 may include other structure, which is not shown in this view, such as net clips for attaching the net 30 to the rim 24.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an interior 80 of the rim 24. The interior 80 of the rim 24 has a hollow section 82 that is circular in cross-section. It is also contemplated that the cross-section may take on other shapes such as oval, rectangular, or square. The illumination device 28 is inserted into and placed within the hollow section 82. When the illumination device 28 is operated, light will pass through the cutouts 26 to illuminate the rim 24 and to simulate the rim 24 glowing. With the rim 24 illuminated, a basketball player will be able to see the rim 24 and aim or shoot a basketball at the rim 24.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly 100 is shown. The assembly 100 comprises a back member 102 having a first channel 104 formed therein and a second channel 106 formed therein with the second channel 106 being within the first channel 104. A first illumination device 108 is positioned within the first channel 104 and a second illumination device 110 is positioned within the second channel 106. An example of each of the illumination devices 108 and 110 is a string or rope of LEDs. Other illumination devices are possible and contemplated such as a fiber optic cable, a single LED, a single light bulb, or a fluorescent tube. A front member 112 is positioned over the back member 102 for covering the back member 102, the channels 104 and 106, and the illumination devices 108 and 110. The front member 112 also serves as a rebounding surface against which a basketball (not shown) is shot. A rim 114 having a plurality of cutouts or openings 116 positioned around the rim 114 is attached to the back member 102 and the front member 112. The rim 114 is hollow and also has an illumination device 118 inserted therein for the rim 114 to be illuminated. As can be appreciated, light provided by the illumination device 118 will be visible through the cutouts 116. A net 120 may be attached to the rim 114. The net 120 may include a plurality of beads 122 that are capable of glowing when light is provided from the illumination devices 108, 110, and 118.

An image capturing device 124 may be positioned within a third channel 126 formed in the back member 102. The image capturing device 124 is used to video or record images or videos of a basketball player shooting at the assembly 100 for training purposes. Although the image capturing device 124 is shown being encased in the channel 126, it is also possible that the image capturing device 124 may just be mounted on a top edge 128 of the assembly 100. In this manner, the image capturing device 124 may also be movable for a coach to remotely control movement of the image capturing device 124 so that a video may be taken of a basketball player shooting from a corner. An example of the image capturing device 124 may be a camera such as a Logitech HD webcam c615.

The back member 102 has a front surface 130 upon which a fluorescent paint 132 may be applied. The paint 132 provides a glowing effect for the front surface 130 and provides more illumination for the back member 102. The paint 132 may be applied to the entire surface of the front surface 130 or to portions thereof. The back member 102 may be constructed of any suitable material such as wood, glass, fiberglass, metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. It is also possible that the back member 102 may be a blow molded frame made from polyethylene, polycarbonate, or any other suitable plastic material. The front member 112 may be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic, glass, or a combination of plastic and wood and/or metal or glass and wood and/or metal. Further, the front member 112 may be transparent to allow the illumination devices 108 and 110 to illuminate the front surface 130 of the back member 102 and the front member 112. The front member 112 may be attached to the back member 102 by an suitable attachment methods or means such as screws, bolts, clips, or adhesive.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a rear view of the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly 100 is shown. The back member 102 has a back surface 140 having a compartment 142 positioned thereon for housing control circuitry for the assembly 100. The compartment 142 may contain a power supply, a battery, a rechargeable battery, and other circuitry, all of which are not shown in this figure. The image capturing device 124 and the illumination devices 108, 110, and 118 are connected to the power supply and the control circuitry for controlling operation of the devices 108, 110, 118, and 124. Although not shown in this assembly 100, a solar cell assembly may be positioned on the back surface 140 of the back member 102 for providing power to the rechargeable battery for use of the assembly 100 at night or during low light conditions. As has been previously discussed, the assembly 100 may also be connected to a power source, such power supplied by an electrical utility, in combination with having a solar cell assembly.

The assembly 100 is also shown being attached to a pole 144 that may be used to positioned the assembly 100 above ground level. As can be appreciated, the pole 144 may be a height adjustable assembly that can raise or lower the assembly 100 for use with basketball players of different ages.

The assembly 100 may also connected to a computer system 150 that is connected to the image capturing device 124 directly or through control circuitry housed within the compartment 142. The connection between the computer system 150 and the device 124 may be wired or wireless. In this particular embodiment the computer system 150 is connected to the device 124 via a wireless connection. The computer system 150 may include a screen 152 upon which a video captured by the device 124 may be viewed. By way of example, the computer system 150 may be a computer having a microprocessor, memory, a hard drive having stored thereon an operating system and other software programs, input devices such as a mouse or a touch screen, a DVD record/write drive, and a floppy disk drive. The computer system 150 may also include other ancillary devices such as a printer, a scanner, a modem, a router, or other network devices that allow the computer system 150 to be connected to a network or the Internet. It is also possible that the computer system 150 may be a laptop computer, a smart phone, an iPod touch, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an iPad, tablet, an Android based tablet, a device that has WiFi connectivity, or other mobile communications device capable of sending and receiving data over a wireless network. Further, the computer system 150 may use various connections to send data or information to a secured facility and the connections may take on various forms such as a telephone line, cable, ISDN lines, fiber optic lines, wireless connections, microwave, radio, satellites, or military or law enforcement secured lines. The computer system 150 is used as a training device and videos of a basketball player shooting a basketball at the assembly 100 may be viewed by the player and a coach to determine any shooting weaknesses.

From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein an illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly which fulfills the various advantages sought therefore. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly comprising: a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel; a first illumination device positioned within the first channel; a second illumination device positioned within the second channel; a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices; and a rim attached to the back member.
 2. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 wherein the back member further comprises a front surface and an illuminable paint on the front surface.
 3. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 further comprising a power source connected to the illumination devices for providing power to the illumination devices.
 4. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 wherein the first channel comprises an upper edge, a back edge, a lower edge, and an opening and the first channel is rectangular in shape.
 5. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 wherein the second channel comprises an upper edge, a back edge, a lower edge, and an opening and the second channel is rectangular in shape.
 6. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 wherein the front member is transparent and attached to the back member.
 7. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 wherein the first channel is semi-circular in shape.
 8. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 1 wherein the second channel is semi-circular in shape.
 9. An illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly comprising: a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel; a first illumination device positioned within the first channel; a second illumination device positioned within the second channel; a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices; and a rim attached to the back member with the rim having a hollow interior, a first cutout portion formed in the rim, a third illumination device inserted into the hollow interior with a portion of the third illumination device being visible through the cutout portion.
 10. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 9 wherein the rim further comprises a plurality of cutout portions formed in the rim with the third illumination device being visible through each of the cutout portions.
 11. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 9 wherein the back member further comprises a front surface, an illuminable paint of a first color on the front surface, and a logo of a second color of illuminable paint on the first surface, with the logo standing out from the illuminable paint of the first color when the illuminable paint of the first color and the illuminable paint of the second color are illuminated by the first illuminated device.
 12. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 9 further comprising a power source connected to the illumination devices for providing power to the illumination devices.
 13. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 9 wherein the first channel has an upper edge, a back edge, a lower edge, and an opening with the first illumination device being positioned within the opening in the channel.
 14. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 13 wherein the back edge is semi-circular in shape for receiving the first illumination device.
 15. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 9 wherein the second channel has an upper edge, a back edge, a lower edge, and an opening with the second illumination device being positioned within the opening in the channel.
 16. An illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly comprising: a back member having a first channel formed therein and a second channel formed therein with the second channel being within the first channel; a first illumination device positioned within the first channel; a second illumination device positioned within the second channel; a front member covering the back member, the channels, and the illumination devices; a rim attached to the back member with the rim having a hollow interior, a first cutout portion formed in the rim, a third illumination device inserted into the hollow interior with a portion of the third illumination device being visible through the cutout portion; and an image capturing device positioned on the back member for capturing an image of an individual shooting a basketball at the illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly.
 17. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 16 wherein the image capturing device comprises a camera.
 18. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 16 further comprising a computer connected to the image capturing device for receiving the image.
 19. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 16 further comprising a computer connected to the image capturing device, the computer for receiving an image captured by the image capturing device and for storing the image.
 20. The illuminated basketball backboard and rim assembly of claim 16 wherein the back member further comprises a front side having a periphery edge and an illuminated paint positioned between the periphery edge and the first channel. 